Liverpool's Raheem Sterling Voted 2014 European Golden Boy

Raheem Sterling has scooped a prestigious prize after being voted the 2014 European Golden Boy in a vote of journalists from across the continent.

The award, founded in 2003, goes to the top-rated player under the age of 21 playing in a top European league.

Sterling, who only turned 20 this month, was one of 40 names nominated, including five Englishmen. Luke Shaw, Calum Chambers, John Stones and Eric Dier were also included.

The Liverpool winger becomes just the second winner from England after Wayne Rooney won it a decade ago.

Year	Winner	Native country
2003	Rafael van der Vaart	Netherlands
2004	Wayne Rooney	England
2005	Lionel Messi	Argentina
2006	Cesc Fabregas	Spain
2007	Sergio Aguero	Argentina
2008	Anderson	Brazil
2009	Alexandre Pato	Brazil
2010	Mario Balotelli	Italy
2011	Mario Gotze	Germany
2012	Isco	Spain
2013	Paul Pogba	France
2014	Raheem Sterling	England

Sterling joins illustrious company, taking over from Paul Pogba on a list that also includes the likes of Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Aguero.

He has had a difficult end to the year as his team-mates have struggled, but performances across 2014 have shown that Sterling's future is bright.